Warsaw (Poland)

Warsaw is a Vistula River cruise port, as well as Poland's largest city and capital. It is located in east-central Poland, approx 260 km (160 mi) from Baltic Sea. By population (over 1,76 million, metro over 3,1 million) it is ranked Europe's 9th most-populous capital city.

In 2012, Economist Intelligence Unit ranked the city world's 32nd most liveable. Today, Warsaw is an "Alpha–global" city, major tourist destination and significant political, economic and cultural hub in Eastern Europe. Its economy is characterized by FMCG manufacturing (fast-moving consumer goods), metal processing, steel and electronics manufacturing, food processing.

Warsaw Stock Exchange is among Europe's most important and largest. Frontex (EU agency for external border security) is headquartered here. Together with London, Paris, Barcelona and Frankfurt, Warsaw is one of the European cities with the highest skyscrapers' number.

Here is the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese (on the left bank of Vistula River) and diocese (river's right bank). Major tourist attractions are monuments, museums, theatres, libraries, opera houses. In 1980, the Old Town was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the other architectural attractions are Castle Square (Royal Castle and King Sigismund's Column), Saint John's Cathedral, Market Square, churches, mansions, palaces. Buildings represent interesting examples of nearly every historical period and architectural style of Europe - gothic, baroque, renaissance, neoclassical, modernism. Roughly a quarter of the city is royal gardens and luxurious parks.

Lacking a good ring road system, most of the city's vehicle traffic runs directly through its center, resulting in big congestions. The planned ring road consists of 3 express roads (S2, S8, S17). In 2012 was opened the A2 motorway (west of the city), which is a direct road connection with Berlin.

There are two international airports both located near downtown - Chopin Airport (10 km / 6 mi) and the new Modlin Airport (35 km / 22 mi). The city is served with around 100 daily flights (around 15,5 million passengers per year), City's public transportation options include buses, trams (streetcars and water trams / seasonally), Metro (underground), light rail, urban railway, regional rail, river ferries (in the summer). High-speed trains connect the cities Warsaw, Krakow, Wrocław, Tricity. The Metro has 21 stations and covers a distance of 23 km (14 mi).